The Post Sky Tipping Era
Chapter 802 - 584: Unspoken Understanding

Chapter 802: Chapter 584: Unspoken Understanding

Very quickly.

The news of the collapse of martial experts at the shores of Taihu spread rapidly, soon reaching the ears of the court, also alerting the other deities of the incense fire across the world.

Of course, such rapid dissemination of news could not have occurred without someone’s covert assistance in the background.

Apart from this bad news, another troubling tidbit was that Master Taiyi of Taihu City, along with the Jinyi Guard, began to take action once again. This time, his actions were bolder, with a two-pronged attack to break mountains and temples, causing the spirit monsters and deities of the incense along the way to flee in terror, not daring to confront them at all.

Some deities of the incense who couldn’t escape had no choice but to kneel and beg for mercy.

Some who surrendered were accepted, but many more were eliminated without the slightest leniency. Furthermore, many ancestral halls of noble families, temples, and those who dared to resist were demolished and killed; it was utterly lawless, and most devastatingly, no one could control the actions of Master Taiyi.

A top-tier expert, wielding three thousand Jinyi Guards, was enough to sweep across the land.

It only took three to five days.

Not only did the team breaking mountains and temples with Master Taiyi not diminish, but it also grew, as he recruited many spirit monsters from the wilderness, promising them titles of True Gods and incense offerings. Faced with such benefits, many spirit monsters from the wild naturally couldn’t resist coming to aid.

This situation greatly alarmed the civil and military officials of the court.

Today.

At the court meeting.

Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, as always, sat on the dragon throne, wearing a ceremonial hat and Gun Clothes, exuding an imposing aura, unsmiling.

Meanwhile, inside the grand hall, ministers were already quarreling fiercely.

"I foresaw that this Master Taiyi, possessing Dragon and Tiger Energy, was not simple and should have been eliminated early to avoid trouble. Now look, he’s leading the Jinyi Guard to burn, kill and plunder outside, committing all sorts of evils, and he’s even becoming a force to reckon with now, what should we do?"

"My family’s ancestral hall was destroyed yesterday, the incense from our ancestors terminated, their souls scattered in anguish, how hateful, that Taiyi Demon Path is truly detestable." At this moment, someone was beating their chest in frustration, wishing to kill Li Yi to quell the hatred in their heart.

"What’s the use of saying this now? Why not quickly find a way to stop Master Taiyi’s actions, otherwise, if he tours the land with the Jinyi Guard and a group of spirit monsters, he might really change dynasties." Others worried that once Li Yi’s great cause was achieved, he might even counterattack the Capital.

At that time, don’t mention the ancestral incense; even their own lives would be in jeopardy.

Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, however, was secretly overjoyed in his heart; he hadn’t expected this action to go so smoothly, with little trouble already achieving more than half success. All previous worries were unnecessary; as long as the strength was strong enough, those deities of incense were nothing but paper tigers, not worth mentioning.

"I suggest dispatching a large army to encircle Master Taiyi, we must not let him continue so recklessly." A minister said angrily at this moment.

Grandmaster Zuo Han Yuan coldly remarked, "Fool, if you can’t think of a good idea, then don’t speak. Master Taiyi’s spell can spew out fierce flames covering three hundred miles, any army sent would just be sent to die. If the news of a military disaster spreads, the nation’s foundation would shake; your entire clan being executed wouldn’t be too much."

The scolded minister immediately shrank back, frightened.

"There is no one among the world’s spirit monsters and deities of incense who is a match for Master Taiyi. With his power alone, he can turn mountains and rivers upside down, restart sun and moon; there’s no way to deal with such a person. We have to appease him. Your Majesty, I suggest redefining the title of State Preceptor, spreading it throughout the land, and summoning the True Man to the Capital." Grandmaster Zuo Han Yuan spoke again.

The ministers immediately realized.

Indeed.

If we can’t beat him, invite Master Taiyi to the Capital, reward him with money, beauties, keep him in the Capital, ensuring he doesn’t cause trouble outside.

"I previously conferred Master Taiyi the title of State Preceptor with this in mind, but you refused. Now this disaster has occurred; if Master Taiyi returns to the Capital and wreaks havoc, how should I handle it?" Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, spoke slowly, with a hint of helplessness in his tone.

These words immediately broke many in a cold sweat.

They almost forgot, they had previously insisted on stripping Master Taiyi’s title and executing him. If they now invite him back to the Capital, wouldn’t it mean they are all to be held accountable?

"Confer the title of State Preceptor, soothe his heart, is feasible, but summoning him to the Capital should be reconsidered." Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, said. He only needed to give Li Yi a couple more months, and the plan of breaking mountains and temples would be mostly completed. Then returning to the Capital to cleanse the court.

Then, the world would be at his and his son’s command.

Whichever task could not be accomplished, which affair could not be completed? Would it be as restrained as before, watching the wishes of officials and the Yin Emperor?

"Your Majesty is right, my suggestion was indeed inappropriate." Grandmaster Zuo Han Yuan replied.

Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, continued, "Does the Hidden Official have any good suggestions? Feel free to speak, taking this court meeting as an opportunity to discuss with all the ministers."

In a corner of the grand hall, those Hidden Officials were rendered speechless one by one.

What else could they say, Champion Marquis and Heavenly Might General both perished, as did Shoushan God and White Water Lady. Even the Lord Black Mountain of the current emperor was missing, dead or alive. Should the Yin Emperor ride into battle, sword in hand, to crusade against that Master Taiyi? Never mind that it’s impossible; even if it were attempted, and still not prevailed, then what?

Currently, apart from appeasement, there was no other way for Master Taiyi. As for his plan to break mountains and temples, it didn’t currently affect the Yin Emperor, so they might as well wait and see how the situation develops.

After seeing the Hidden Official remain silent,

the courtiers immediately showed their bitter expressions.

This meant it was impossible to obstruct Master Taiyi; he would continue leading the Jinyi Guard to destroy divine statues and slay Incense Fire Gods.

"Since the Hidden Official is silent, let this matter be settled for now. I will issue a Holy Decree later, formally appointing Master Taiyi as State Preceptor, and also establish a divine statue for Master Taiyi, along with a temple, to receive incense offerings from the world," said Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye.

This was his second step in the plan.

To widely gather incense offerings from across the world.

Part of these incense offerings would belong to him, another part to Li Yi.

With the court’s power, in less than a month, each city would have a divine statue of Master Taiyi, as well as a statue of himself, Li Jiye. As time passed, the power of incense this Emperor possessed would far surpass any of his predecessors, enabling him to commence the third step of his plan.

To purge all Hidden Officials and Yin Emperors, and then govern the world well, increasing the population to proliferate the power of incense belief to its peak.

"Father, the title of State Preceptor is nothing but an empty name; how can you establish a divine statue for Master Taiyi and let him enjoy the incense offerings of the world? This person is bound to become a major threat. You could give him wealth and beauties, corrupt his mind, wait for the right moment, and then strike him down in one fell swoop. That would truly be the way to achieve long-term peace and stability."

At this moment, Crown Prince Zhao Jing immediately stood up in protest.

Many ministers looked to the Crown Prince in surprise, but after a moment of thought, they agreed with his stance.

The power of incense belief that Master Taiyi did not yet possess was already so terrifying. If he truly enjoyed the incense offerings of the world, then he would be unchallengeable in the court. It would be impossible to eliminate him.

"The Crown Prince has a point; Master Taiyi must be guarded against."

"Indeed, Your Majesty could grant Taiyue Mountain to Master Taiyi but should not broadly erect divine statues, aiding his rise as an Incense Fire God; otherwise, it might create a situation where it becomes impossible to clip his wings."

"Incense should never be granted to Master Taiyi; His Majesty should reconsider."

Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, at this moment, glanced at Crown Prince Zhao Jing. He hadn’t expected the Crown Prince to openly oppose this matter, indicating that the Crown Prince’s wings had hardened, and he intended to fly.

Immediately, without showing any emotion, he stated, "If there is no sincerity, how could we placate Master Taiyi? Since the Crown Prince objects, then let the Crown Prince be responsible for placating Master Taiyi. If it succeeds, the Crown Prince will be credited with great merit."

Crown Prince Zhao Jing was stunned at these words.

He was to placate Master Taiyi?

How could he offer comfort?

That Daoist killed without batting an eye, leading three thousand Jinyi Guards who were on a killing spree outside. If he went, wouldn’t he be walking into the lion’s den?

"Father..." Crown Prince Zhao Jing wanted to say more, but he was interrupted by Emperor Shenwu.

"This matter is thus decided; if the Crown Prince fails to placate, we will follow the earlier plan," said Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye. "The Crown Prince will depart tonight, and I will send the Golden Eyes Guard to escort you all the way. Be thoroughly prepared and devise a strategy."

Crown Prince Zhao Jing felt a chill down his spine under his father’s cold gaze, unsure why he felt an overwhelming sense of dread.

He believed his father was sending him to be killed by Master Taiyi, rather than to appease him.

In reality, he wasn’t wrong.

Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, no longer needed this Crown Prince. If Zhao Jing had remained detached and uninvolved in state affairs, perhaps he could have given him a decent end. Now, at this crucial moment, for him to stand out and oppose, this Crown Prince could not be left lingering, and it was better to deal with him sooner rather than let him cause trouble in the future.

With the court session concluded, a team of Golden Eyes Guards promptly moved into the Eastern Palace.

By dusk,

the Crown Prince’s convoy left the Imperial Palace, heading out of the Capital. But for some reason, as they were crossing a stone bridge, Crown Prince Zhao Jing suddenly went mad and insane, rushing out of his carriage and into the river. Although the Golden Eyes Guard promptly rescued him, he remained unconscious, with blood seeping from his seven orifices.

Since then, the Crown Prince faded from the court’s limelight, while Master Taiyi’s arrangements proceeded as previously agreed, proclaiming him as State Preceptor and constructing temples.

But these actions in the Capital did not affect Li Yi’s plans.

What he aimed to do was to cleanse the world of Incense Fire Gods, with the Capital left to his father, Li Jiye.

The two never communicated, yet they understood each other without words.

As a month passed,

as divine statues were erected and mountains and temples were demolished, the incense from the world flowed to Li Yi and Li Jiye at an astonishing rate.